“Trust ’im for makin’ ’is wife buckle under; ’e’s not a man to stand nonsense from anybody.”
Edward swung along the road, whirling his stick round, whistling, and talking to the dogs that accompanied him. He was of a hopeful disposition, and did not think it would be necessary to slaughter his best cow. He did not believe in the vet. half so much as in himself, and his firm opinion was that she would recover. He walked up the avenue of Court Leys, looking at the young elms he had planted to fill the gaps; they were pretty healthy on the whole, and he was pleased with his work.
He went to Bertha’s room and knocked at the door. Dr. Ramsay opened it, but with his burly frame barred the passage.
“Oh, don’t be afraid,” said Edward, “I don’t want to come in. I know when I’m best out of the way.... How is she getting on?”
“Well, I’m afraid it won’t be such an easy job as I thought,” whispered the doctor; “but there’s no reason to get alarmed.”
“I shall be downstairs if you want me for anything.”
“She was asking for you a good deal just now, but nurse told her it would upset you if you were there; so then she said, ‘Don’t let him come; I’ll bear it alone.’”
“Oh, that’s all right. In a time like this the husband is much better out of the way, I think.”
Dr. Ramsay shut the door upon him.
“Sensible chap that,” he said. “I like him better and better. Why, most men would be fussing about and getting hysterical, and Lord knows what.”